Four Toyota vehicle models in Australia are involved in this recall - RAV4, Starlet, Celica and Paseo - with build dates ranging between July 1997 and August 1999.

According to a report filed by Takata with US authorities, the propellant in some of the involved inflators may absorb moisture over time, which could lead to inappropriate deployment or inflator rupture in situations where the airbags are commanded to deploy.

If an abnormal deployment of the driver airbag occurs, this could increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Toyota Australia will notify all potentially affected vehicle owners of this recall in January 2020 by mail, SMS or email.

For all involved vehicles, Toyota dealers will replace the airbag inflator or the airbag assembly at no cost to customers as a precautionary measure. As an interim measure, until the replacement parts are ready, Toyota will inform the owner(s) of the affected vehicles to stop using their vehicles, with the possibility that Toyota will buyback the vehicles.

Once replacement parts are available Toyota will send a letter to affected customers so they can make an appointment at their closest/preferred Toyota dealer for the airbag / inflator to be replaced free of charge.

A full list of involved vehicles and additional information can be found in the Q&A's below.

For further information, customers can contact the Toyota recall campaign helpline on 1800 987 366 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday AEDT).

Q&A

Q1: What is the condition? (description of problem)
A1: According to the Takata investigation results filed by Takata with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the subject vehicles are equipped with potentially affected Takata-produced single-stage non-azide front driver's airbag inflators (referred to by Takata as "NADI" inflators), that may absorb humidity over time due to a number of factors including inappropriate sealing of the inflator. The absorption of moisture into the propellant over time could lead to inappropriate deployment or inflator rupture in situations where the airbag is commanded to deploy. The potential for such abnormal deployment scenarios to occur may require or be exacerbated by other factors and variables beyond propellant moisture absorption and are not yet fully understood.

Q2: How is this different from the Takata airbag inflators that have been recalled so far?
A2: The Takata inflators previously recalled globally use Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate (PSAN). The inflators subject to this new recall do not use PSAN as a propellant. The propellant in these inflators is a Non-Azide type.

Q3: What is Toyota's investigation status into this issue?
A3: Toyota is currently investigating the issue and liaising closely with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development (DITCRD), NHTSA and relevant authorities in other countries and Takata. Based upon the investigation to date the potential for such abnormal deployment may require or be exacerbated by other factors, including manufacturing variation, climatic conditions, vibrations, specifics of vehicles applications or other variables not fully understood.

SQ1: Are there vehicles that use the inflators in other markets?
A: There are vehicles that use the inflators in other markets. To what extent and what models are affected, is part of the overall global investigation.

Q4: What is the function of the inflator?
A4: The inflator is a device contained within the airbag assembly. It contains a solid propellant which is ignited in the event airbag deployment is necessary. When ignited, the solid propellant expands into an inert gas, inflating the airbag.

Q5: Which and how many vehicles are involved?
A5: Based on information provided by Takata, we have identified Toyota vehicles (Starlet, RAV4, Celica and Paseo models) produced between 1997 and 1999 with potentially affected Takata-produced Non-Azide Driver Inflators (NADI) in the Australian market. Despite the age of the potentially affected vehicles, some may still be in use.

Model Name

Model Code

WMI

VDS

VIN RANGE

PRODUCTION RANGE

From

To

From

To

Starlet, 3 Door

EP91

JT7

52EP91

00345506

00511785

22 December 1997

26 July 1999

Starlet, 5 Door

54EP91

00345504

00511700

22 December 1997

23 July 1999

RAV4, 3 Door

SXA10

71SC10

00169143

00215206

04 August 1997

30 August 1999

RAV4, 5 Door

SXA11

72SC11

00155159

00226914

03 September 1997

31 August 1999

07074299

07149558

29 August 1997

15 July 1999

Celica

ST204

64STL4

00045702

00058359

07 July 1997

15 July 1999

Paseo

EL54

63EL54

00045344

00049173

03 December 1997

26 July 1999

Note: 1)Not all variants within the above Production Period date range in the Australian market are fitted with potentially affected Takata NADI inflators. If a vehicle model is listed in the above production range, guests are being instructed to contact Toyota Australia's Campaign Helpline to determine if the specific vehicle is affected.

If a vehicle is listed in the above vehicle models and production date range, please contact Toyota Australia's Campaign Helpline at 1800 987 366 (8am to 6pm, Mon-Fri AEDT).

Q6. What is Toyota going to do?
A6: Toyota dealers will replace the airbag inflator or the airbag assembly at no cost to customers as a precautionary measure. For the time being, until the replacement parts are ready, we will inform the owner of the affected vehicles to stop using their vehicles, with the possibility that we will buyback the vehicles.

SQ1. How long will it take until the parts will be available?
A: We are communicating with Joyson Safety Systems (Takata's successor) so that we can replace the potentially affected parts as soon as possible, however, we have been advised that this will take time due to the age of the involved vehicles. The replacement parts need to be newly developed as they are already out of production.

SQ2. In cases where you inform the owners to stop use of the vehicles, what will happen in the interim?
A: If a recalled vehicle is identified as containing an affected inflator, Toyota Australia will offer to buy back vehicles registered for road use from the owner at current market value. Other assistance will be arranged on a case by case basis to minimise consumer inconvenience.

SQ3. Is there a fixed purchase price for the involved vehicles? (Normally, the purchase price of vehicles produced more than 20 years ago is very low.)
A: No. Pricing for the potential buybacks will be determined based on market value of the vehicle. Market value varies depending on the model, the vehicle's condition and other factors.

Q7: How long will the remedy take?
A7: At this time, Toyota is still preparing for the development and production of remedy parts. The timing in which parts may be available is not yet known but will take at least several months. The duration of the remedy will be determined once the details of the remedy are decided and parts are available.

Q8: Does this condition affect other Toyota models?
A8: No. Only models mentioned in the VIN range in the table at question 5 above are involved.

Q9: Are there any warnings that this condition has occurred?
A9: No. There are no warnings that this condition exists.

Q10: What if an owner has additional questions or concerns?
A10: Owners with additional questions or concerns are asked to please contact their closest/preferred Toyota Dealer in the first instance or the Toyota Campaign Helpline on 1800 987 366 (8am to 6pm Mon-Fri AEDT). Please quote the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Q11: Where can owners find their VINs?
A11: VIN number location varies by model. Owners can search "vehicle identification number" in the alphabetical index at the rear of the Owner's Manual to find information on how to find the VIN position specific to each vehicle.